Irian protesters call for probe into Timika<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Some 70 Irian Jaya university students held a
\npeaceful demonstration at the House of Representatives yesterday
\ncalling for a thorough investigation into allegations of human
\nrights abuses by military authorities in Timika, a village in
\nIrian Jaya.<\/p>\n
"We demand a full investigation in Timika to be conducted in a
\ntransparent manner," according to a statement by the group who
\ncall themselves the solidarity forum for Irian victims of human
\nrights violations.<\/p>\n
Some of the banners and criticisms attacked PT Freeport
\nIndonesia, the giant American copper mining company which has a
\nhuge operation in Timika.<\/p>\n
On banner read "Freeport developing or killing?" while another
\nsaid "They killed the people of Amungme for gold and copper".<\/p>\n
"We don't care who did it, Freeport or the security troops,
\nbut punishment should be meted out to the guilty party," Sicilia,
\none of the coordinators of the protest said.<\/p>\n
Freeport representatives in Jakarta have denied any part in
\nany clash between the security officers and protesters in Timika.<\/p>\n
Complaint<\/p>\n
The protest on the Timika case started when five non-
\ngovernmental organizations filed a complaint earlier this month
\nto the National Commission on Human Rights over allegations that
\n17 civilians had been killed, 25 tortured and four others had
\ndisappeared in Timika.<\/p>\n
The NGOs based their claim on a report written by the
\nAustralian Council for Overseas Aid.<\/p>\n
Bishop Munninghof of Irian Jaya later picked up the report and
\nalerted the Indonesian Bishop Conference in Jakarta of its
\nexistence, hoping that a thorough investigation would be
\nconducted to clarify the allegations.<\/p>\n
The National Commission of Human Rights has already launched
\nan investigation and the team -- comprising Marzuki Darusman,
\nClementino Dos Reis Amaral, Djoko Sugianto, and Soegiri -- have
\nvisited the site to obtain firsthand information.<\/p>\n
The team's initial investigation did not find any evidence
\ncorroborating the allegations but it plans to return to Irian
\nJaya again later this week to talk to some more people.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's statement also demanded that the "security
\napproach" currently used by the authorities in handling Timika
\nproblems should be replaced with a more humanely socio-cultural
\napproach. It also called on the government to stop referring
\nthose who want to see that justice is done in the Timika case as
\n"separatists".<\/p>\n
Samsudin, a legislator representing the Armed Forces faction
\nin the House said that proper punishment should be imposed on
\nwhoever proves to be guilty.<\/p>\n
The two-hour demonstration ended peacefully after all the
\nprotesters were received by House members Aisyah Amini, Marbun,
\nTheo Sambuaga, and Andi Rashidi.<\/p>\n
An official of the Indonesian Environmental Forum said that
\nthe protesters have planned to stage another protest at PT
\nFreeport's head office here today. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irian-protesters-call-for-probe-into-timika-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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